Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Michael Fulmer (10-3, 2.25 ERA) and the Detroit Tigers (64-57) meet Rick Porcello (16-3, 3.30 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (67-53) in the second of a four-game series at Comerica Park. The Tigers won the last game 1-1, and Detroit leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 19 and will air on NESN and FSDT.
In his last start, Fulmer pitched 9.0 innings, allowing zero runs and striking out nine in a 7-0 victory over the Rangers. J.D. Martinez (.312, 46 Rs, 16 HRs, 45 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run. The Red Sox were victorious over the Diamondbacks 16-2 the last time Porcello pitched. He went 7.0 innings, giving up one run and striking out four. David Ortiz (.312, 57 Rs, 27 HRs, 93 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Tigers will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent offensive struggles. In the last 10 games, Detroit has only averaged 2.7 runs per game compared to the 4.6 it’s averaged on the season.
They sport the top-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 5.5 runs per game. The top hitting team in the AL are the Red Sox, who average 10.0 hits per game. The Red Sox average just 7.0 strikeouts per game, one of the lowest marks in the AL.
So far this season, the Tigers are 4-0 against the Red Sox. This game will feature Porcello (RHP) on the mound against the Tigers, who have a 47-39 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Fulmer will take the mound against the Red Sox, who have a 53-39 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS, O/U – Over
Notes
Having scored one run in their last game, the Tigers are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Red Sox have a 13-1 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 7-33. The Tigers have a 10-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling in the top 10 of the league based on total home runs this season, Detroit ranks seventh with 157 homers and Boston is ninth with 155.
Boston tops the league in hits with 10.01 per game this season. Detroit ranks in the top five at third with 9.17.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Boston has an OPS of .822 this season. Detroit ranks eighth with an OPS of .762.
The Red Sox are 39-43 when they allow at least one home run. The Tigers perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 33-40 record.
